Manhattan Strip Clubs: Everything’s roses for terrific ‘Gypsy’ revival at Drury Lane Oakbrook
Andrea Prestinario is beautifully understated and real as sweet, bookish Louise, the long-ignored daughter who suprisingly morphs into the happily glamorous Gypsy Rose Lee, and finally finds the steel to stand up to her mother. David Kortemeier captures the essence of Herbie, the meek but self-aware man who loves Mama Rose until she goes one step too far. Matthew Crowle stops the show as Tulsa, the boyish tap dancer. The kids who line up for a patriotic workout in Mama Rose’s endlessly recycled vaudeville act are priceless. And for sheer hilarity there are the three strippers played to vintage perfection by Susan Lubeck, Cheryl Avery and Frances Asher. They sing “You Gotta Have a Gimmick,” but as this electrifying production proves, what you really need is immense talent and absolute truth.